Morning journal and courier., 1887-02-25
the STATES LAWMAKERS,

THE STATES LA WMAK ERS.
What Was Done I'm The Halls of Leg
islatiOn Yesterday-The House Pass
es The sun day Railroad Traffic Bill
The State Printing Office A Thing
of The Past-The Republican Coun-
ty Caucus-Fhe -Four Year Terms of
County commissioners To BE Sup
pOrted-COmmittee Hearings.
HARTFORD, Feb. "a.
Especial to the JOURNAL COURIER
There was much important business trans
acted by the House and Senate to-day. The
House made bold strike by passing the
Sunday railroad traffic BILL and if the SEN
ate should concur, the States people will
have to give up Sunday excursions by
rail. The States printing Office bill was
unfavorably reported on to the House to-day
and it was killed.
House Joint resolution relating to the Isra-
Ell Putnam camp ground was given hearing
before the committee on military affairs this
afternoon. The bill was introduced in the
House by Representative Bartram, and that
gentleman appeared in support of it. MIR.
Niekerson appeared in its favor also. The
maps and plans of the proposed site were
shown the committee and explained. 1t
will be remembered that Aaron Tread
way, the owner of the land where the pro-
posed monument is to be located, has gen
erously donated the ground. The committee
will report favorably on the resolution.
The bill providing that the assistant
engineers or fremen may ring the
engine bell came before the committee on
railroads. Representative Connors, of New
Haven, was the FIRST and only who ap
peared in favor of the bill. The Hon. Henry
c. Robinson also spoke and thought that the
bill was an entirely unnecessary one, as the
assistant engineers and fremen had the pow
err, in his opinion, to ring the bell and it
would be only useless legislation to adopt
such bill. Dudley Wells came before the
committee on agriculture this afternoon and
discussed the Senate resolution for purchase
of the Meriden Park association grounds
The committee on humane institutions held
a short hearing on the bill concerning CLAN
board of agriculture and Agent Thrall of the
Humane society appeared in favor of the
bill. The bill provides for the killing of all
glandered horses by the agents of the society.
AS the law now stands it is pretty risky bust
ness for an agent of the society to kill an
afflicted horse. Some time ago an agent
killed glandered horse and it cost the State
$500 to settle.
The committee on federal relations held
their adjourned hearing on Senator Gala
gher's free trade bill this afternoon. Attor-
ney G. III. FowIer and Judge Sheldon, of New
Haven, made lengthy addresses, the former in
favor of free trade, the latter in opposition.
Much interest is being taken IN the revision
of the statutes this year and it is not thought
likely that it will be rushed through as it
was in 1875. There has been much pains
taking and careful work done on the work
this year. One familiar with the way that
compilation with it's errors and omissions
was re-enacted said: "Speaker Doolittle held
it up in his hand in MSS and it was passed.
There were no printed copies and few per-
sons examined it. Hardly legislator knew
what he was doing. l examined it and found
that many important bills had been left out
altogether, and from others the penalty had
been omitted. It was then too late to do
anything" This years report has been print
ed and will be very carefully considered.
The legislature doesn't intend following
in the footsteps of the brother Solons
of 1875, but will make a good job of it.
The State prison committee held short SEES
sion and heard parties interested in the bill
fixing the board of prisoners i'll jails at 81
per week. The temperance committee had
hearing on the bills increasing the amount
of license fees and defining ratio of saloons
to legal voters. The interpretations commit
tee Will hold an interesting meeting next
Thursday afternoon, when they will give
hearing on the committee bill concerning
electric lighting companies. This Is IN behalf
of municipalities, that some general law may
be enacted regarding wire stringing, and it
may perhaps, compel wire burial. Telegraph,
telephone and electric light companies are in
Guided
The Judiciary committee were engaged
during the afternoon in hearing several pro-
posed amendments to the public statutes.
Secretary of State Hubbard appeared in be-
half of several proposed changes in the fees
of the borough court of Wallingford. Mr..
John Hooker. reporter of the Supreme Court
of Errors, recommended the passage OF an
act concerning the filing of judgment liens
on real estate. Mr.. Hooker also urged the
enactment of law allowing the books and
memoranda of deceased persons admissible
as evidence in all cases. Attorney John O.
Gallagher, of New Haven, and Mr.. Richard
Bacon, Of Washington, appeared in
behalf of certain proposed changes in the
laws relating to justices of the peace. One
bill raises the fees of justices to 50 for each
day actually engaged in the trial of cause;
another bill provides that the selectmen
shall on application provide suitable places
for holding trials before justices; still anoth-
furnishes a method for opening judgments
rendered by default where the same have
perhaps the most important one was the bill
intended to abolish "pocket Justices" 1t
provides that any defendant who has been
summoned to appear before justice of the
peace may file an affidavit on or before the
return day of the writ that he has reason to
believe that he will not be given fair trial.
On receipt of this affidavit the judge of the
Superior court or Court of Common
Pleas in the county where the
justice resides may appoint some
other justice to try the case.
Judge Henry Stoddard also appeared be-
fore the committee and asked them to recon-
msnd law providing that the State attor-
ney in each county shall conduct the defense
in every uncontested divorce case. Judge
Stoddard said that the State had a great in
terest in the dissolving of marriage contract
as well as the parties.
The general Republican caucus this
afternoon in secret session in the Supreme
court chamber. The principal business of
the caucus to consider the subject of
county commissioners terms of Office. 1t
was unanimously voted by the caucus to
favor the bill establishing the terms of Office
of county commissioners at four years and
also the bill to make an absolute Republican
representation on county boards, beginning
this year.
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.
The woman suffrage committee will have a
hearing next Wednesday afternoon in the hall
of the House on all bills relating to woman
suffrage.
No decision has yet been reached by the
board which recently Investigated the man
agement of Fitch's Soldiers Home in Darien.
The board will meet again In Hartford next
week.
Tomorrow (Friday) it is not expected there
will be much business done by the lawmak-
ers. They pay visit to the State Reform
school in the afternoon.
The committee on county commissioners
investigation heard statements this afternoon
from several of those officials.
The committee on education will consider
tomorrow friday the bills providing for
the support of the kindergarten schools and
allowing the election of women on a school
committee.
Below will be found summary of the
business transacted in the House and Senate:
The Senate.